Commodity Crab Races

Chuck Zimmerman

The opening reception at Commodity Classic was sponsored by Syngenta and had all your usual things like food, beverages, music and fellowship. This year it also featured something I’ve never seen before. Crab races. This is definitely out of the ordinary. Basically, you have people betting on who’s crab is going to win. They’re put under a little net in …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

The Classic Blogger

Chuck Zimmerman

The Classic blogger got his picture taken doing his thing. I’ve got lots of pictures and audio for you but it’s time to head to the trade show opening for a while so bear with me as I’ll have a lot posted overnight. In the meantime most of my pictures have been uploaded to the 2007 Commodity Classic Photo Album. …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

New Holland iPod Blue

Chuck Zimmerman

New Holland is giving corn/soybean/wheat growers a chance to win a blue iPod this year at Commodity Classic. Like last year all my interviews and pictures will be loaded onto the iPod before it gets shipped to the winner. All growers have to do is go by the New Holland booth which I believe is number 333. There’s really no …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Student Commodity Bloggers

Chuck Zimmerman

Last year I had a couple of students helping me blog Commodity Classic. They were sponsored by Monsanto. This year they’re not working with me but Monsanto still has some student bloggers here. One of them is Alyssa Bane. You can find her blog here. It says that you can follow the “Adventure in Agriculture through Alyssa’s Eyes.” I am …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

World Record Yields

Chuck Zimmerman

Kip Cullers is the world record yield holder for corn and soybeans. He was honored this morning at the ASA/BASF SOY breakfast when BASF announced a new scholarship in his name. BASF announced the Secure Optimal Yield Scholarship program. This annual $5,000 scholarship will be sponsored by BASF and managed by ASA. The first award will be for the fall …

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

Shuttle Bus Video

Chuck Zimmerman

All of the shuttle buses that are carrying people around from hotel to Convention Center are sponsored by BASF. I think they’ve done this before but it’s a great idea. The buses have video monitors and to keep people entertained they can watch a video that was put together by BASF. I’m getting a copy of it so you can …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland, Video

Ethanol Opportunities and Pitfalls

Chuck Zimmerman

Arlan Suderman is a market analyst for Farm Futures magazine. He was on the program at the BASF “Science Behind Plant Health” symposium. Arlan’s spoke about the ethanol wave and addressed the opportunities and the pitfalls that he sees coming. He shares a lot of information about how people are investing in the industry and how the boom is affecting …

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

BASF Research Leader

Chuck Zimmerman

Dirk Voeste is the head of Plant Health and Seed Treatment Research for BASF. He came here to Commodity Classic from the company’s headquarters in Germany. Dirk’s topic at the “Science Behind Plant Health” symposium was on the research that the company is doing and to show how growers are using it to their advantage. He says that BASF continues …

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

BASF Headline a No-Brainer

Chuck Zimmerman

Andy Lee is the BASF Director of Business Operations, U. S. Crop Protection Products. He spoke at their “Science Behind Plant Health” symposium on the subject of just what BASF is doing to continue to be a leader is this area. Like several other presenters he says that BASF is finding new and interesting applications and results for its Headline …

Audio, BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland

A Nice Session With BASF

Chuck Zimmerman

The BASF “Science Behind Plant Health” symposium is winding up with a question and answer session that’s taking place right now. I’ve recorded it and will have some more audio for you by tomorrow morning. Right now it’s time to pack up here and head on over to the opening reception and other social activities that are taking place here …

BASF, Commodity Classic, New Holland